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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Paris & Rome

with Athens extension

Duration: 8 or 11 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 100

Get to know two worldwide capitals of culture at your own pace.

For centuries, world-class artists and intellectuals have flocked to Paris and Rome, leaving behind lasting impressions. Now it’s your turn to make your mark on each city, exploring the ins and outs of both with Parisian and Roman locals leading the way. And with plenty of time to yourself, you’ll be free to discover your own niche within these two European hubs.

Your tour package includes

6 nights in handpicked hotels
6 breakfasts
2 dinners with beer or wine
2 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Eiffel Tower photo stop
Place de la Concorde
Arc de Triomphe
Colosseum
Roman Forum

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Paris today.

Paris3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Paris

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Paris! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

A guided tour introduces you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods, called arrondissements.

• Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées to view the Arc de Triomphe

• Pass Pont Neuf and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River

• See the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house, and Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square

• Marvel at the iconic architecture of the Louvre and Hôtel des Invalides

Day 4: Free day in Paris

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring Paris at your leisure or add excursions.

Versailles Palace & Gardens

Excursion (additional cost)

Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Rome3 nights

Day 5: Flight to Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to the airport for your flight to Rome, Italy. Enjoy a free evening in the city or add an excursion.

Rome Cooking Class & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Rome

Included meal: Breakfast

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.

• Soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus

• Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire

• Stop at the ruins of the Forum, once the setting of parades, elections, and trials

• Pass by Palatine Hill to see Circus Maximus, the stadium where ancient Romans raced chariots, and the Baths of Caracalla

Enjoy a free afternoon in Rome or add an excursion.

Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 7: Free day in Rome

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the day exploring Rome at your leisure or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy an elegant, four-course farewell dinner. While you dine, you’ll be treated to some of opera's best-loved arias sung by professional tenors.

Please note: The opera performance is seasonal and runs from March through November. Dinner will take place at a local restaurant from December through February.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 8: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit Athens.

Extension to Athens

Extend your adventure in Athens, an ancient capital where awe-inspiring history mingles with the present day.

Athens3 nights

Day 8: Flight to Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Board your flight to Athens, Greece. Enjoy free time in the city or add an excursion.

Athens Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

• Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian

• View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus

• See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district

• Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion

Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Cape Sounion

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Free day in Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Athens or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

The Greek Islands: Aegina, Poros & Hydra

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

100

4.7 average

Fantastic!

06/10/2019 by 2nd time traveler Regina K.

This trip was a great combination of structure and free time. I was more able to enjoy my trip because I wasn’t worried about travel logistics. All our local guides were great and our tour director Antonio was phenomenal! 10/10 would recommend and can’t wait to book another trip!

Awesome time!

04/09/2019 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

I loved every aspect of my tour! I traveled solo and found the mix of tours, excursions and alone adventures to be perfect! I lenjoyed the pasta making experience in Rome and would highly recommend it. My tour guide was knowledgeable and alot of fun. I would definitely recommend this tour company a...

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Best time of my life!

11/20/2018 by 2nd time traveler Brianna B.

This was my first time traveling to Europe and I can say it was the best time of my life. I went as a solo traveler and returned home with a beautiful group of friends. Our tour guide Leonardo was so helpful and would explain in detail the directions for any location we wanted to go and what to avoi...

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Paris, Rome with an extension in Greece.

10/22/2018 by 2nd time traveler Kathleen C.

I was not happy to find out that four other people on the trip were able to go to London before starting the trip. I had been trying since March be able to go through London. She was interested in getting a tour of Oxford, which is where she would like to study. Also, a man and his son were able ...

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Paris, Rome, and Athens Quick Review

10/11/2018 by 3rd time traveler Leigh M.

The Go Ahead itinerary was great, and the tour directors--Stephania in Paris and Rome and Emmie in Athens--were superb. What made the trip as successful as it was was their efforts to make sure that we all had a great time and always knew where we were going and what to expect. The local city guides...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Mercure Paris Gare Montmartre

The Mercure Paris Montmartre is located right by Sacre Coeur and near the Moulin Rouge. You will discover the artistic soul of this ancient village wh...

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AC Porte Maillot

This contemporary hotel is located in the 17th arrondissement. Guests enjoy a fitness center, WiFi, and deluxe pillowtop mattresses. Nearby, you'll fi...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits France and Italy (plus Greece on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved sidewalks and cobblestone streets, with some uneven ground.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Paris and depart from Rome (or Athens on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival. For more details, please reference the Paris transfer information included in your Go Kit.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A flight from Paris to Rome is included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a flight from Rome to Athens.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website atcdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

For a picnic with French flair in Paris, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily's arancini).
For more authentic meals in Italy, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
On the tour extension, Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Simple grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.

Electricity & air conditioning

France (and Greece on the tour extension) operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

France and Italy are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
Greece (on the tour extension) is two hours ahead of GMT and seven hours ahead of ET.
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Paris and Rome and 7pm in Athens.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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24 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights from your departure city, and based on two travelers per hotel room. Tour prices include on-tour flights where applicable.